Man left critically ill after clash between Liverpool and Roma fans
April 25 – Violence before the Liverpool-Roma Champions League semi-final clash at Anfield has left a 53-year-old male Liverpool fan in critical condition in hospital.
Europe
Germany submits EURO 2024 bid book promising to ‘build bridges’ between people
By Andrew Warshaw
April 24 – With so much focus concentrated on the narrative over the 2026 World Cup vote, it may have been forgotten that there is another battle going on to stage the European Championship finals two years earlier.
Juve and Napoli players wear red stripes in stand against domestic violence
April 24 – When Juventus and Napoli met in an all-important fixture at the top of Serie A last weekend, television viewers worldwide may have wondered why both sets of players had red stripes on their faces.
Maxwell’s house: Scottish FA appoint Patrick Thistle boss to lead national game
April 24 – Ian Maxwell has been appointed the Scottish FA’s new chief executive and has promised “to shape a better future”.
Fenerbahce semi-final abandoned after Besiktas coach Gunes hit on head
April 20 – The Turkish cup semi-final between arch-rivals Fenerbahce and Besiktas’ was abandoned after the visitors’ boss Senol Gunes was hit on the head by an object thrown from the crowd.
UEFA cracks disciplinary whip banning Sion and fining Irtysh, FC Vojvodina and KF Tirana
April 18 – Swiss club FC Sion, which has a history of controversy on and off the field, have been a handed a two-season ban from European competition by UEFA over a transfer debt.
Un’bear’able: Animal rights groups deplore Russian bear stunt
April 17 – Animal welfare groups have condemned footage of a Russian performing bear delivering the ball to a referee before a third division match between Mashuk-KMV and Angusht in Pyatigorsk.
Champions League semis: Real vs Bayern, Liverpool vs Roma
April 13 – Real Madrid have been drawn against Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League as they continue their quest of trying to become the first team for over 40 years to win the title three times in a row and the first in the tournament’s current guise.
Pep’s pushy protestations put him on penalty path, Liverpool already there
April 12 – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been charged with improper conduct following during Tuesday’s Champions League defeat by Liverpool.
Spanish delay voting on replacement for disgraced Villar until May
April 10 – The Spanish football federation (RFEF) has rescheduled the date for holding an election to finally replace disgrace former FIFA and UEFA veteran powerbroker Angel Villar.
Renamed European Leagues says UEFA clubs payouts are increasing the big vs little gap
April 9 – Having seemingly made peace with UEFA after being handed a voice on its executive committee, the body comprising Europe’s major leagues is back on the offensive by criticising UEFA’s distribution model for the 2018-21 cycle, saying it only increases the gap between the haves and have-nots.
Shot across the bows. Italian refs receive bullets in post after VAR protests
April 6 – Bullets have been sent in the post to three key figures at the Italian Referees’ Association, according to its president, amid fan protests over use of the video assistant referee system.
Liverpool charged by UEFA over fan assaults on Man City bus
April 6 – Liverpool have been charged by UEFA over the disturbances at their Champions League clash with Manchester City on Wednesday.
Bus battered: Liverpool apologise for fans attack on Man City team
April 5 – Liverpool have apologised to Manchester City after bottles were thrown at their team coach when they arrived for the all-English Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
Scottish FA secure future at Hampden Park with agreement to buy
April 4 – Scotland looks set to secure their future at Hampden Park after League One club Queen’s Park agreed in principle to sell the ground to the Scottish FA.